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United States Patent |
5,694,450
|
Livingston
|
December 2, 1997
|
System for marking printed data on x-ray film
Abstract
An X-ray film marking unit for exposing a portion of the film with a label
having indicia relating to patient identifying and X-ray machine
identifying information. A computer or microprocessor system is fully
integrated as part of a smart marking system which may retrieve data from
various sources via digital interface ports. Three modes of operation,
full-automatic, semi-automatic and stand-alone, are utilized for data
retrieval.
Inventors:
|
Livingston; Troy W. (Northbrook, IL)
|
Assignee:
|
Livingston Products, Inc. (Wheeling, IL)
|
Appl. No.:
|
409765 |
Filed:
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March 23, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: |
378/166; 378/165 |
Intern'l Class: |
H05G 001/28 |
Field of Search: |
378/165,166
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4001592 | Jan., 1977 | Katz et al. | 378/166.
|
5034974 | Jul., 1991 | Yurosko | 378/166.
|
5381457 | Jan., 1995 | Burns | 378/166.
|
5416823 | May., 1995 | Livingston | 378/166.
|
Primary Examiner: Wong; Don
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/158,602,
filed Nov. 24, 1993 , now U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,823, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/068,059 filed May 27,
1993, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for optically marking a latent image of printed data on X-ray
film for chest or mammography contained in a closed cassette comprising:
means for receiving the X-ray film cassette holding X-ray film therein;
means for opening an optical path from outside the cassette to provide
access to the X-ray film to allow a latent image to be formed thereon and
for closing the optical path thereafter;
means for establishing an optical path from outside the X-ray film cassette
to said X-ray film;
means for generating a plurality of data fields by allowing an operator to
scroll through stored data field selections, select a data selection and
cause a data selection signal to be transmitted; and
optical character generator means coupled to said data scrolling means
receiving said data selection signal for generating an image of said
selected data field on said X-ray film to form a latent image thereof on
said X-ray film.
2. A system for optically marking a latent image of printed data on X-ray
film for chest or mammography contained in a closed cassette comprising:
means for receiving an X-ray film cassette holding X-ray film therein;
means for opening an optical path from outside the X-ray film cassette to
said X-ray film and for closing the optical path after optically marking a
latent image on the X-ray film;
means for generating a plurality of data fields by allowing an operator to
scroll through data selections to be supplied to said data fields, select
a data selection and cause a data selection signal to be transmitted;
an LCD optical character generator means coupled to said data scrolling
means to receive said data selection signal and for generating an image of
said selected data on said X-ray film to form a latent image thereof on
said X-ray film;
means for storing a plurality of patient identification information; and
means for scrolling through said patient identification information that
has previously been prescheduled in order to match a patient with his or
her patient identification information at the time an X-ray is being
taken.
3. A system for marking printed data on X-ray film comprising:
means for receiving an X-ray film cassette;
means for generating a data field;
means for periodically checking said data field generating means for
errors;
means coupled to said data means for generating an optical character
pattern for exposing said X-ray film to form a latent image of said data
thereon; said means for periodically checking said data field generating
means for errors periodically includes means for testing the keyboard, a
display and input/output devices for soft errors and for resetting said
devices on the detection of said soft errors.
4. A system for marking printed data on X-ray film for chest or mammography
contained in a closed cassette comprising:
means for receiving an X-ray film cassette;
means for opening an optical path from outside the cassette to provide
access to the X-ray film to allow a latent image to be formed thereon and
for closing the optical path thereafter;
means for generating data reflective of an X-ray machine state and a
patient state;
means for receiving X-ray machine customization data;
means for receiving clinical customization data;
an LCD means;
means for generating a plurality of optical characters on the LCD means in
response to said data fields; and
forming said optical characters on said X-ray film from the characters
generated by the LCD means.
5. A system for marking printed data on X-ray film for chest or mammography
contained in a closed cassette comprising:
means for receiving an X-ray film cassette;
means for opening an optical path from outside the cassette to provide
access to the X-ray film to allow a latent image to be formed thereon and
for closing the optical path thereafter;
means for generating data reflective of a machine state and a patient
state;
means for receiving X-ray machine customization data;
means for receiving clinical customization data;
an LCD means;
means for generating a plurality of optical characters in response to said
data fields and for operating the LCD means for forming said optical
characters on said X-ray film; and
means for generating characters reflective of the patient's name in a
visually enhanced form with respect to other characters.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for printing patient
information on an X-ray film carried in an X-ray cassette. More
particularly, the invention relates to computer controlled systems for
collecting and printing patient identifying and X-ray machine identifying
information on X-ray film and storing the same for archival purposes and
to ensure the integrity of such information.
Many X-rays, such as mammographic X-rays of breasts, are performed on an
X-ray machine that uses an X-ray film holder called a cassette that slides
into and out of a support on the X-ray machine. The typical cassette is a
rectangular flat package that is hinged at one end to open to allow access
to an internal foam pad on which is laid an X-ray film sheet that will
receive the X-ray image. Currently, most such cassettes also have a narrow
window slide in one corner of the cassette that is slid open to expose the
film for printing patient data through the window onto the film.
Typically, the patient data of interest includes identity, time and
location information and the X-ray machine data of interest includes the
type of view, the operating parameters and other information relating to
the X-ray machine. For a mammogram X-ray, it may be desired to set forth
in four to six rows of information: the clinic name, date, time, patient
name and identification number, exposure number, voltage used, exposure
time, mode, technique used, angle of C-arm, breast thickness, compression
force, filter and dosage. The letters to be printed are about newspaper
size lettering; and the letters need to be nice, crisp and clear. The
letters are white on an exposed, black background and may have to be
printed in a space that is only 0.5 inch in height and 2.5 inches in
length.
Currently, X-ray film is being marked by systems in which the information
is furnished on data carrier cards and liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
which are illuminated to project the information onto the film. Such
systems have been designed to use data carrier cards or liquid crystal
displays or some combination thereof.
A system employing data carrier cards provides a label printed with the
desired information and attached to an IBM perforation card which is
placed into an exposure unit along with the X-ray cassette. An
electrically operated finger slides the cassette window slide to an open
position to provide the window through which light is flashed to expose
the letters on the film. The slide is then closed and the cassette is
removed from the exposure unit, as is the IBM card bearing the information
label thereon.
Since it sometimes occurs that cassettes and IBM cards are inadvertently
mixed such that the film is marked with incorrect information, it has been
found desirable to provide an indication of precise date and time
information with the exposure. Previously, a timer disk driven by a motor
has been mounted adjacent the data carrier card to project such
information. However, such timer disks are bulky and the information
provided thereby is often highly inaccurately and cannot be readily
deciphered by a physician. To this end, U. S. Pat. No. 4,383,329 to Krobel
et al. entitled "Apparatus for Recording Data on X-ray Films or the Like,"
issued May 10, 1983, proposed providing a liquid crystal-type digital
clock display including a digital calendar and counter adapted for use in
an exposure unit to mark film with such information. By proposing both a
data carrier card and a liquid crystal display, Krobel et al. would
provide marking of patient and X-ray machine identification information,
along with time information. The separate act of providing a label with
the desired information and attaching it to an IBM card and then
positioning the card in the exposure unit results in a system which is
slow and expensive. U. S. Pat. No. 5,136,626 to Ort, entitled "Method for
Identifying X-ray Film with Patient Information Displayed Outside a
Cassette," issued Aug. 4, 1992, proposed adding a liquid crystal display
as an integral component to a cassette to perform the function of the data
carrier card. The Ort cassette has a number of control contacts allowing
information to be transferred to the display from a data processing unit
having a user keyboard for entry of such information.
Today, information which might be found useful for marking on X-ray film is
available from a wide variety of data sources. Such sources include
computers which might reside in the medical setting, including main frames
in personal computers, and also some X-ray machines which provide for a
digital interface allowing access to machine data. Prior art exposure
units, however, are designed to receive information provided by a human
operator, requiring that the operator transcribe all such information,
which is tedious and subject to human error. It would be desirable,
therefore, to take advantage of the various data sources available by
retrieving data directly from the source, whether it be an interface
computer, an X-ray machine or both. Thus, there exists a need for a new
and improved system for marking patient and X-ray machine identifying
information on X-ray films in cassettes.
Preferably, an improved marking system should include an exposure unit
which is easy to use, both as a stand-alone unit and with remote apparatus
interfaced thereto. It would therefore be further desirable to provide a
"smart" marking system which itself includes a computer or microprocessor,
facilitating efficient retrieval of information from the various data
sources. Rather than merely receiving information, a smart marking system
could directly retrieve information from data sources. As such, a smart
marking system might include various interface ports, allowing the system
to interrogate for the presence or absence of information sought for
marking. Establishing a hierarchy of data sources as inputs would allow
for the automatic and/or semi-automatic operation of the smart system to
optionally look for patient and X-ray machine information from the
computer interface, the X-ray machine interface or the user keyboard in
the absence of data from computer or machine interfaces.
Under new regulations, the X-ray data and the patient identification data
must be printed on the X-ray film prior to removal of the X-ray film from
the cassette. A large number of mammography and chest X-ray machines exist
today and are in use without having any way of printing such information
on the X-ray film. The present invention is directed to solving this
problem by providing a stand-alone apparatus that can be used, for
example, in a clinic in connection with one or several mammography
machines that have no computer output capability. In order to be
effective, the flasher apparatus has to be low-cost in comparison to the
mammography machines which typically cost about $60,000 to $80,000.
Preferably, the flasher apparatus should cost less than a tenth of this
cost range. In addition to being cost effective, the flasher apparatus
must be relatively foolproof; and yet, simple to operate, and fast in
operation. That is, the apparatus should check that cassette is properly
positioned and that window slide is fully opened before a flashing
operation is done. Also, to prevent a repeated erroneous operation, it is
desired that the flasher flash patient information only once and not be
capable of repeating an erroneous flash of a patient's data onto a
succeeding cassette of another, subsequent patient. The preferred
apparatus should be capable of operating the three modes of manual only;
semi-automatic with some information coming from a remote computer such as
patient data from a hospital main frame and X-ray parameter data generated
by the keyboard; and fully automatic with all of the information coming
from a computer associated with the mammography machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a stand-alone
flasher apparatus exposing and printing on an X-ray film in a cassette the
patient and X-ray machine identifying information. The stand-alone unit
may be placed next to one or more mammography machines; and, after an
X-ray exposure, the cassette may be removed from the mammography machine
and placed in the adjacent flasher unit. The patient and X-ray data may be
typed on a keyboard of the flasher apparatus and in a short period of
time, e.g., three seconds, the typed information is flashed onto the film.
There may be as much as four lines of sixty characters per line flashed
onto the X-ray film. The apparatus is relatively inexpensive so that it
can be purchased for use with existing mammography X-ray machines. Also,
the apparatus may be used in semi-automatic or automatic modes. The
optical character generator and projector is operable by electronic data
signals from interface ports retrieving such signals from a remote
apparatus such as an X-ray machine and input data means, such as
typewriter keyboard and/or stored signals from a computer. Thus, it is
electrical signals that are retrieved directly from data sources to
operate the optical character generator and projector which may comprise a
plurality of liquid crystal displays (LCD's) that are back lit. A lens
system is used for focusing the print image onto the X-ray film for a
predetermined period of time which may be controlled by a shutter or the
like, or by inhibiting the back light.
The preferred system also includes a microprocessor or computer which can
control the electrical operation of actuators to open and close the window
slide on the cassette and control the time of exposure and operation of
the LCD's. The microprocessor may also have stored data therein such as
the name of the clinic and generate data such as time and date which
operates the LCD's to display this data. The electrical signals to operate
the optical character generator and projector also may come from remote
locations such as a bar code reader, a magnetic tape reader or over a
cable from an X-ray machine or another remote apparatus such as a main
computer for the clinic or hospital.
In the preferred and illustrated system, the operator slides a cassette
into position in the marker unit and a lever is operated for mechanically
locking the X-ray film cassette in place, opening the cassette window and
notifying that the film is ready for exposure. Once the lever is
activated, it is not possible to remove the cassette from the system until
the lever is deactivated.
The marking system first looks for patient identifying information through
data interface ports which may retrieve such information from remote
computer and/or X-ray machine apparatus. If patient identifying
information is available through the data interface ports, then it is
retrieved thereby for exposure. Otherwise, the required patient
identifying information is sought through the user keyboard by the system
which prompts a human operator. Second, the system looks for X-ray machine
identifying information through the data interface ports. If such
information is also available thereby, then it is retrieved for exposure.
If X-ray machine data is unavailable through the data interface ports,
then again the human operator is prompted for entry of such information
via the keyboard. In this context, the "full-automatic mode" of operation
of the smart marking system contemplates retrieval of both patient and
X-ray machine identifying information through the data interface ports
without human interaction. "Semi-automatic mode" on the other hand, is
when either patient or X-ray information is retrieved via remote apparatus
and remaining required information is retrieved via the human operator.
When all such information (both patient and X-ray) is obtained by
prompting a human operator, then the system's operation is referred to as
"stand-alone mode." For a given location, however, even in stand-alone
mode, clinic name, date, time, etc. are read from the memory and the
system clock of the microprocessor or computer which controls, and is
incorporated within, the smart marking system. Also, it is often desirable
to include sequential indicia for quality control, and film density for
X-ray machine calibration.
An external user display is provided to indicate the status of the marking
system, e.g., whether exposure is complete, system errors, etc. In the
stand-alone mode of operation, this display is particularly useful for
data entry by the user typist. The display facilitates a man-machine
interface by prompting for user input and allows some limited editing by
the user prior to exposure.
When the typist and/or other data input means has the appropriate data
inputted to the LCD's to produce the print image, the operator causes the
printing to begin and then the print image which is sent through a lens
system and through the window to expose the film. Preferably, a back light
is flashed on and then off for the exposure time. The exposure time when
using LCDs may be about one-third of a second which is a long exposure
time compared to photographic camera exposure times. Exposure time also
varies with film density and the intensity of the back light, thus a light
sensor or photo diode may be advantageously employed to vary the exposure
time with light intensity. The marking system of the present invention
will not allow a second exposure of an inserted X-ray film cassette.
In the embodiment utilizing the above described lever, the film cassette is
removed after the lever is deactivated, as previously described. START
During the printing operation, it is preferred to block the cassette
against movement and removal until the printing is completed and this may
also be done by a solenoid-operated device.
The utilization of a microprocessor or computer fully integrated into the
smart marking system provides additional advantages. Such advantages
provided by this integrated system include added security through password
protection, long-term storage of data within computer memory, and the
ability to connect to a printer to output some or all of the data from
exposures performed in a given time frame, e.g., end of day hard copy
printouts. The details of the invention together with further advantages
are set forth in the detailed description which follows. The precise scope
of the invention is defined by the claims annexed to and forming a part of
this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for imprinting or forming a
latent image of data on X-ray film in an X-ray cassette having a window;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of a cassette locking and slide opening
mechanism of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in a position to receive a
cassette;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the cassette locking and slide
opening mechanism shown in FIG. 3 at the beginning of an opening operation
of the cassette window slide;
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1
showing details of a lens system and slide carrier;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the cassette window slide slid to
open the cassette window to receive an image;
FIG. 7 shows a spring for the cassette locking and slide opening mechanism
shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7a illustrates input switches for sensing a cassette properly
positioned for printing through a window therein;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of computer control circuitry of the apparatus
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of a 62 pin card edge connector for
connection with an industry standard architecture bus (ISA bus);
FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of a Dallas Semiconductor DS52340-B computer
chip including an NEC V40 10 MHZ microprocessor a 256 kilobyte battery
backed RAM, timers and interrupt interfacing;
FIGS. 10A-D are schematic diagrams of ISA bus decoder circuitry of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of flasher LCD and user LCD circuitry of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the keyboard and keyboard control
circuitry of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the printer and parallel printer port of
the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the photo sensor, amplification,
filtering and analog-to-digital (ADC) conversion circuitry of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic diagrams of solenoid control and input
switch circuitry of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 16A and B are schematic diagrams of interface port circuitry of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 17 is a simplified program flow diagram of the system software of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 18 is a flow chart describing the power-up and testing features
including testing of the LCD display and watchdog reset;
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the steps of a scrolling feature for
scrolling patient data passed the display;
FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a display feature allowing various
information to be called up via special function keys; and
FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing execution of a series of steps for
obtaining X-ray data from an external source such as an X-ray machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is
embodied in a flasher system or apparatus 10 for printing or imprinting
data on X-ray film by forming a latent image of the data on the X-ray film
that includes a housing 15 (FIG. 1) having a slot 16 into which may be
inserted an X-ray cassette 18, having a window 19 which is usually covered
by a window slide 20, until it is desired to print on the X-ray film (not
shown) inside the X-ray cassette 18. Under new regulations, the
information or data concerning the patient and the X-ray parameters is to
be printed onto the X-ray film before it is removed from the X-ray
cassette 18. It is particularly important that there be proper correlation
between the patient data and the actual cassette or else the wrong
person's identification may be on two different cassettes. By way of
example only, it is preferred to be able to print several lines of data,
e.g., four lines of date with a substantial number of characters through a
small window that may be only 0.5 inch in height and 2.5 inches in length.
Typical data to be printed includes: patient identification information
with respect to the location, time, data, place and operating parameters
under which the X-ray was taken. The format of the information, the kind
of information and the size available may vary; but herein, the printed
information in a one-half (1/2) inch by two and one-half (2.5) inch
rectangle in four (4) lines and may read, for example, as follows:
##STR1##
In the first row is the clinic's name followed by the date and time the
X-ray was taken. In line 2 above, the patient's name and identification
number are printed. In line 3, there is a five-digit exposure number
followed by the operating voltage in kV and intensity in mAs
(milliampseconds). Also, in line 3 is exposure time of "2.10s" and the
exposure mode AEC (which stands for an automatic exposure mode). The last
time "Buckey" in line 3, refers to where the cassette was located. For
example, on a Buckey plate, or alternatively it may state "Magn" for
magnification, or "3-D Bios" for a stereotaxic machine. In line 4, the "45
deg" refers to the C-arm of the X-ray machine being rotated at 45.degree.
to the horizontal. The 6.5 cm. refers to thickness of the breast, and the
22 kg refers to the compression force exerted on the breast. "Rh" refers
to the filter used. Manifestly, other identifying indicia as may be
desired can be used; for instance, the initials of the lab technician or
the like.
The cassette 18 (FIG. 8) has the window 19 in its top wall 18a which, when
the window is uncovered, exposes an X-ray film 18 (FIG. 2) at the window
for printing. After printing, the window slide 20 is closed to prevent
exposure of the printed lines which are white letters on a black film
background. The size of the window defines the maximum size of the printed
message or marker that will be on the film. The cassette may be of various
kinds such as a standard mammography, panoramic and cephalostat cassette.
Different cassettes made by different manufacturers will have their window
openings in different positions from that illustrated herein.
In accordance with the present invention, the printed image on the X-ray
film is generated and projected onto the film by an optical character
generator and projector 22 (FIG. 2) which is operable by electrical
signals from a computer or computing means 11. In the preferred embodiment
of the invention, the character generator comprises a backlight or bulb
23, which is selectively controlled to illuminate by backlighting a panel
24 of LCD's, which are operated to have the printed data thereon. The
image from the LCD's is focused sharply on the film by a lens means 25 and
filter 26. The lens means focuses the image onto the film to give crisp,
clear and sharp letters; and the filter provides a good contrast so that
white letters exposed on the X-ray film can be easily read.
Turning now in greater detail to the illustrated apparatus 10, there is a
housing or frame 15 that includes the receiving slot 16 (FIG. 1) for
reception of the cassette 18. The illustrated unit or apparatus 10 is
small, stand-alone unit that may be placed on a table or mounted on a wall
or on an X-ray unit. By way of example only, the housing 15 of the unit
may be about 24 cm. in width, 10 cm. in depth, 18 cm. in height and under
4 kg. in weight.
In accordance with the invention, the apparatus 10 may be a stand-alone
unit that may be used with various or a number of different X-ray machines
rather than being a dedicated apparatus that is incorporated into and is
an integral part of a mammography machine that has its own associated
computer. To this end, the flasher unit has its own computer 11 (FIG. 2)
including a CPU unit 11a and a bus decoder 11b that responds to interlock
or input signals indicating that the cassette is in proper position, and
that the window slide is open. The computing means 11 cooperates with a
keyboard 12, its own internal memory, an X-ray machine 32, or a remote
computer apparatus 34 to receive the patient data above-described.
Having this data, the CPU 11a operates the LCD's 24 and the backlighting
thereof to generate the data image which is flashed through the lens
system 35, filter 26, and through the open window 19 to print onto the
film in the cassette. When operating as a stand-alone unit, there will no
inputs at the computer interface port 35 or the X-ray interface port 33
for the bus decoder 11b.
In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus has three modes of
operation including the stand-alone, i.e., manual operation wherein the
computer 11 and keyboard 12 provide the only inputs for character
generation. In the stand-alone operation, the apparatus may serve one or
several mammography X-ray machines. In another or semi-automatic mode of
operation, the remote computer apparatus 34, which may be an institutional
hospital main frame computer, provides the patient name, patient
identification number to the computer interface port 35 and thereby to the
computer 11; and the operator at the keyboard 12 will enter into the
computer 11 the parameters with respect to X-ray being taken or recently
taken. In the fully automatic mode, the X-ray mammography machine 32 will
have its own internal dedicated computer or an attached PC computer that
has all of the patient data as well as the X-ray parameter data which it
sends through the computer interface port 33 to the computing means 11,
which then, operates LCD backlight and LCD's to generate an image of the
characters inputted from the remote X-ray machine 33 containing the
patient data and X-ray parameter data.
To be cost effective as a stand-alone apparatus, the preferred apparatus 10
was constructed with its own computer or computing means 11 although a
more costly, commercially available computer could have been adapted for
use herein. Likewise, as will be explained, the apparatus uses a lens
system, that is very inexpensive, e.g., a lens system costing $19 for a
commercially available, three-element lens and uses an inexpensive yellow
celluloid filter 26 to give the sharp image with good contrast to the
X-ray film. It is a difficult task to design a printing system having
inexpensive components to print clearly four lines having sixty characters
per line in a 0.5 by 2.5 inch rectangle an X-ray film. Additionally, a low
cost cassette handling mechanism operated by handle, locks the cassette 18
in place and provides a light shield about the window 19 and provides
interlocks that assure that the cassette is properly oriented, is located
at the proper spot, and that the window slide 20 is fully open before
printing commences. More specifically, and in accordance with the present
invention, the operator inserts the cassette 18 into the slot 16 to its
full depth and a sensor input means 99 (FIG. 8) senses that the cassette
is properly inserted and oriented and acts as an interlock to cause the
operation to be stopped if the cassette is not properly positioned. After
insertion of the cassette, the operator pulls the handle 17 to lock the
cassette against removal during the flashing operation and to shift the
window slide 20 to its open position. A light trap means about the window
prevents ambient light from entering through the open window. Another
input sensor 99d senses that the full stroke of the window slide 19 was
attained by movement of the handle 17, and enables a printing operation.
Preferably, the locking of the cassette against removal, the applying of
the light seal, the pulling open of the slide, and the sensing of a fully
open slide are accomplished by a simple hand-operated mechanism operable
without the use of motors or the like to provide a low cost mechanism to
perform these functions.
Turning now to a more detailed description of the housing 15 forming a
portion of the apparatus 10, the housing 15 contains a motherboard on
which are mounted the computer 11 and the interface ports 33 and 35. A
visual display 38 (FIG. 1) which is preferably an array of LCD's are
provided on the housing above the keyboard for viewing of the data that is
to be inputted and printed onto the X-ray film. As the operator operates
the keyboard, the characters being typed by the operator are displayed on
the optical display 38. Also, commands or other menu information from the
computer 11 will be displayed on the optical display 38 in the usual
manner. Preferably, operation of the handle 17 and a proper opening of the
window slide 20 results in the switch 99d closing and a message appears on
the visual display that the printing operation is commenced. On the other
hand, if the window is not fully opened, the switch 99d will be open and a
suitable non-print command will be displayed on the visual display to the
operator. The keyboard 12 has several control keys, e.g., keys that
control printing and select the different modes of operation. The housing
15 may be, for example, as small as 24 cm. in width, 10 cm. in depth, 18
cm. in height and 4 kg. or less in weight.
The slot 16 is preferably sufficiently wide to receive both the usual
cassette used for mammography and a larger cassette used for chest X-rays.
Mounted horizontally within the housing is the optical character generator
and projector 22 (FIG. 5) that includes, in sequence from left to right in
the housing, a backlight 23 that is connected to the computing means 11
and is electronically controlled to cause illumination of the flasher
LCD's 24 which are adjacent thereto. Herein, the preferred code is an
Epson printing code of electronic data signals from the computing means
that operates the LCD panel 24 for printing. The preferred, inexpensive
and small LCD panel for flashing is available from Hitachi Corporation and
sold under the name of Graphic Alpha Numerical EL Backlighting Part No.
LMG6381QHGE. The external display 38 has another LCD unit sold by Hitachi
Corporation and sold under the name of Graphic Alpha Numerical EL
Backlighting Part No. LMG6401PLGE.
Manifestly, other character generators than LCD's could be used and other
brands of LCD's may be used.
A particular problem is to print with sufficient clarity, sharpness of
image and suitable contrast onto the film, all in an inexpensive manner.
Herein, this is achieved by the use of a suitable lens system 25 and
filter 26. The preferred lens system has three lenses 40a, 40b and 40c
mounted in a tube 40d. The first lens 40a has a convex face 40e and a
planar face 40f. The second lens 40b has convex faces 40g and 40h. The
third lens 40c has a planar face 40i and a convex face 40j. The lens
system 25 is 3 inches in length and has f/2.5 and is commercially
available from JML Optical Industries of Rochester, N.Y. While the lens
system 25 provided the sharp image, the image did not have sufficient
contrast to make it easy to read on the dark X-ray film. This was overcome
by the addition of a yellow filter 26 which is preferably a commercially
available celluloid filter such as a Cokin Filter, A375 Fil. A made by
Coromofilter SA of Paris, France. As best seen in FIG. 3, the filter 26
may be a thin disk mounted in a typical filter ring 41 threaded onto the
lens tube 40d which is mounted on a frame member 42 of the housing 15.
The image is generated and projected horizontally and then is preferably
reflected vertically, downwardly in this instance, by a mirror 43 (FIG. 5)
that is mounted in frame brackets 44 in the housing 15. The mirror is
mounted by the brackets directly over the window opening 19 in the
cassette 18. Because the backlighting lumens may vary, for example, the
amount of lumens may decay with usage and aging, it is preferred to have
an optical sensor 46, such as a photocell, sense the light image to make
sure that the image is sufficiently bright. The optical sensor is
connected to the computer by leads 46a and suitable adjustments can be
made to increase the light output of the backlight 23 or to signal that it
should be replaced. Thus, there is a safeguard against a number of
cassettes being flashed with the images having insufficient contrast that
they cannot be read after flashing.
To provide a good indication to the operator that a flashing operation is
being done to a cassette 18, and to provide a low cost mechanism, there is
provided the manually-operated handle 17 that is pulled downwardly, as
viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the operator, and provides the force to lock
the cassette 18 in place and to open the window slide 20. Herein, the
handle 17 is in the form of an upright lever having a lower end fixed to a
turnable shaft 50 that is supported horizontally for turning about its
horizontal axis by frame members 44 of the housing 15. The upright lever
is mounted exteriorly of and adjacent a righthand vertical sidewall 15a
(FIG. 1) of the housing; and on the inside of this sidewall is a large
gear 51 (FIGS. 4 and 5) that is meshed with a smaller gear 52 fixedly
secured to a horizontal, rotatable driving shaft 53 mounted in frame
members 44 of the housing 15. Also, fixed to driving shaft 53 is an
actuator means in the form of a cam 54 that causes a locking of the
cassette 18 against removal, as will be explained later.
It is desired to lock the cassette 18 against removal for the short period
of flashing which is about three seconds in total operation of which the
X-ray film exposure to the image is about 0.33 second. Herein, the locking
operation is achieved by a clamping of the cassette 18 between an
underlying, horizontal housing plate 55 and an overhead clamping plate 56.
The clamping plate 56 is normally spaced from clamping engagement with the
cassette 18 so that the cassette 18 may be easily inserted or removed from
the slot 16. In its release position show in FIG. 3, the forward end of
the clamping plate 56 is raised above and spaced from the cassette 18 and
in the locking position this forward end of the clamping plate 56 is
pushed and held downwardly against the cassette 18 by the cam 54 on the
shaft 53. Herein, the clamping plate 56 is pivotally mounted at its rear
end by a hinge 57 which has a vertical leaf fixed to a frame member of the
housing for turning about a horizontal pivot axis, and a substantially
horizontal leaf fixed to the rearward end of the clamping plate. In the
release non-clamping position of FIG. 3, the forward end is inclined
upwardly above and spaced from the underlying cassette. The cam 54 is
turned through the first one-third turning of the handle 17 and abuts the
clamping plate 56 and keeps pushing the clamping plate 56 to pivot
downwardly to clamp the cassette 18 against the underlying frame 55, as
shown in FIG. 4.
In accordance with this invention, the clamping plate has a dual function
member, or pad 58, that functions as a light shield and as a clamp to
resist a pulling force trying to remove the cassette 18 from the slot 16.
In this instance, the pad has a rectangular opening therein as does the
clamping plate 56 having an opening aligned with the cassette window to
allow the image to pass through the respective openings. The preferred pad
58 is a resilient, compressible pad of elastomeric material which is
compressed by the clamping plate and the cam tightly against the top of
the cassette with a wide surface area contact. The compressed gasket pad
58 intimately engages the cassette top wall 18a and blocks any light paths
due to any irregularities in the pad or top wall of the cassette. If the
gasket pad 58 is too soft, the material may tear when a high pullout force
is applied to the cassette 18. If the gasket pad 58 is too hard, it will
not be as effective as a seal, and the cassette 18 may slide across this
hard surface when the cassette 18 is pulled with a high force. A good
gasket material is a closed cell foam plastic about 0.100 inch thick with
a 40 Durometer.
With the cassette 18 clamped, the handle 17 will now be in position to
actuate a window opening and closing mechanism or means, as best seen in
FIG. 4, that includes a pin 60 that has been lowered to project into an
opening 61 in the window slide and thereby is connected to the window
slide 20 to slide it to the left to open the window 19. The pin 60 is
mounted on a slide assembly 62 which is carried by the clamping plate for
rectilinear travel in the forward and rearward direction along a pair of
horizontal, parallel slide rods 63 that are fixed at opposite ends to
upright support blocks or brackets 64 which are secured to the top of the
clamping plate 56. In order to shift the slide assembly along the rods 63,
the slide assembly 62 is driven by a lost motion link assembly which in
turn is driven by further operation of the handle 17. When the handle is
in the position of FIG. 4, a lost motion link 65 will be positioned so
that a pushing end 65a at the right end of a lost motion slot 65b will be
engaging a pin 66 projecting through the slot 65b. The pin 66b is
connected by a bracket 67 to a slide assembly plate 68 of the slide
assembly 62. The link 65 is driven rearwardly to the left, by a lever 69
which has its upper end fixed to the drive shaft 53. The lower end of the
lever 69 is connected by a pivot pin 70 to the forward, right hand end of
horizontally disposed drive link 65.
As the handle 17 turns counterclockwise, the large gear 51 turns the meshed
gear 52 and turns the drive shaft 53 to turn the lever 69 clockwise to
push the link to the left and to push the connecting pin 66 and attached
slide assembly to the left. The slide opening pin 60 on the slide assembly
62 is carried thereby to the left to push the slide 20 to travel to the
left to uncover all of the slide window 19. When the slide assembly 62 has
traveled a sufficient distance to fully open the window slide 20 as
illustrated in FIG. 6, an upstanding switch actuator 71 on the slide plate
abuts the limit switch 99d to signal the computing means 11 that the
cassette window is open. Failure to operate the limit input switch 99d,
after the other input switches 99a, 99b and 99c indicate that the cassette
is properly located, causes a message to appear on the visual display 38
and/or a disablement of the optical character generator. On the other
hand, a proper operation of the input switches 99a-99d enables the
computing means 11 to begin or causes it to begin the printing cycle.
After printing, the operator will lift the handle and reverse the operation
described above with end 65c of the slot in the link 65 engaging the pin
66 on the slide assembly 62 forwardly, i.e., to the right, with the pin 60
pulling the slide plate 68 to the right. The slide 20 is fully closed
before the cam 54 is reversed and moved from engagement with clamping
plate as the handle 17 is returned fully to its upper position. As best
seen in FIG. 7, a spring 73 serves to assist return of the slide assembly
62 and to bias the forward end of the clamping plate to raise to release
the cassette 18 for removal. The illustrated spring 73 is a long
contractile spring having one end fixed to the housing frame adjacent the
hinge 57 and extending therefrom over the top of the slide assembly 63 to
a grooved roller mounted on the drive shaft 53. The spring extends over
the top of the grooved roller 74 to and end 73b fixed to the rear of end
of the carrier slide. The portion of the spring 73 between the grooved
roller 74 and the spring end 73b exerts an upward force component to the
slide assembly and to clamping plate to pivot the latter in a
counterclockwise direction about the axis of hinge 57. This lifts the
clamping plate to the release position spaced from the cassette.
To assure that the cassette 18 is properly located so that cassette slide
20 has its opening 61 aligned directly beneath the pin 60 to accept the
pin 60, and the clamping plate is lowered to grip the cassette 18, there
are provided input switches 99a, 99b and 99c, as best seen in FIG. 8. The
switch 99a is a normally open limit switch that will be closed when the
cassette is pushed fully inward against a stationary stop/go on the
housing frame to assure that the slide opening 61 is at a depth aligned
with the pin 60. A similar, normally open limit switch 99b will be closed
when the cassette is pushed against a lateral side stop 91 to assure that
cassette is laterally over to the right end of the slot 16 to position the
slide opening 61 laterally in alignment with the pin 60. To sense that
righthand side 18b of the cassette, rather than the lefthand side 18c, is
against the lateral stop 91, a limit switch 91c, which is a normally a
closed switch, will be open when the limit switch finger is in a groove 93
that is in the sidewall 18b of cassette. The opposite cassette sidewall
18c lacks any such groove. The three switches 99a, 99b and 99c are
connected in series and when anyone of the switches is not in its proper
position after insertion of the cassette, the circuit is open and this
disables and/or causes the computer means not to print and to provide a
command on the visual display 38 indicating that the cassette is not
properly aligned to receive the pin 60 to open the cassette slide 20.
As best seen in FIG. 7, the slide opening mechanism herein is designed not
to be operated by the handle 17 if the pin 60 is not properly coupled to
the cassette window slide 20; that is, if the pin 60 does not travel
downwardly through a predetermined travel distance, e.g., 3/8 inch. The
pin 60 is attached to the lower end of a vertical plunger 80 slidable in a
vertical bore in cylindrical guide boss 81 located on the underside of the
clamping plate. The top end of the plunger is biased by a spring 82
secured to the top of the carrier plate 68 by a fastener 83. The
illustrated spring is a flat horizontal leaf spring abutting the upper end
of the pin plunger 80 and pushing the plunger 80 and the pin 60 down to
insert the pin 60 into opening 61 in the cassette slide. When the cassette
is properly positioned, the pin 60 is shifted downwardly through the 3/8
inch displacement needed to insert the pin 60 through the hole 61 in the
slide 20 and to push an internal catch member (not shown) on the slide 20
to allow it to travel in the open direction. If the cassette 18 is somehow
misaligned, or if the cassette 18 is inverted so that window 19 and slide
20 face down instead of facing up, the pin 60 will not travel down the
full extent of the travel distance with the result that the upwardly
projecting tab or finger 85 will be in a position to abut the right side
of the stationary frame bracket 44 that holds the lens assembly 25. The
tab or finger 85 is an integral part of the leaf spring 82 so that, when
the spring 82 is lifted by the plunger 80 and attached pin 60, the tab 85
stays upright and will abut the bracket preventing the slide 20 from
moving in the slide opening direction. When the pin 60 moves into the
opening 61 and unlatches the slide, the tab 85 is lowered to slide 20
below the stationary bracket 44.
Turning now to FIG. 8, the block diagram shown illustrates computer control
circuitry used with the system 10. A power supply 100 supplies +5 volts
(V.sub.cc) via connection 101 and supplies -15 volts and +15 volts via
connections 108 and 109, respectively, to supply power to the system 10.
In accordance with the invention there is provided an apparatus for
printing patient identifying and X-ray machine identifying information
onto the X-ray film and through the X-ray cassette 18 comprising the
digital computer 11 and a digital storage device. As embodied herein, the
digital computer and digital storage device are provided by CPU 11a
connected to ISA bus decoder 11b via bus connection 115. The ISA bus
decoder 11b interfaces the CPU 11b to the LCDs block 102, the serial ports
block 103, the I/O controls 105, the keyboard block 106 and the printer
block 107. Details of each of the functional blocks are described below.
FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the block of CPU 11a in greater detail. A 62 pin
card edge connector 110 is connected to the industry standard architecture
ISA bus 115, providing an IBM type personal computer compatible bus
connection which allows a personal computer to be interfaced with the
system 10 to provide the digital computer and the digital storage device
in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 9B illustrates the ISA bus 115 connected to a DS2340 computer chip 111
which derives its clock signal from a 19.6608 MHz crystal 112. As embodied
herein, the digital computer and digital storage device are provided in
the computer chip 111 which are resident on the Dallas semiconductor
DS2340 "soft flip stik" which is the computer chip 111. The system CPU of
the computer chip 111 is NEC V40 processor.
The computer chip 111 includes an "A" side and a "B". The "B" side has been
employed in the embodiment of the present invention and features the V40
10 Mhz processor, a battery backup RAM (up to 256 Kilobytes); hardener
module providing watchdog and RAM battery protection and downloading of
kernel software. The computer chip 111 provides all system RAM, timers and
interrupt interfacing. The "B" side of the computer chip 111 looks like an
IBM PC-XT bus and provides an IBM XT compatible personal computer thereby.
Further, the PC compatible computer provided herein allows the
implementation of security to maintain integrity of the system 10 with
access protection requiring the entry of a password. A reset switch 114 is
provided to reset the computer chip 111. Programming interface signals
including data terminal ready (DTR), receive data (RXD) and transmit data
(TXD) are provided via connections 116, 117 and 118, respectively, to
facilitate programming of computer chip 111 which will be discussed in
further detail below.
As illustrated, the connector 110 of FIG. 9A and the computer chip 111 of
FIG. 9B provide alternative means for providing a digital computer and a
digital storage device for use with the embodiment.
FIGS. 10A-D are schematic diagrams showing digital circuitry which
implements the ISA bus decoder 11b of FIG. 8. In accordance with the
invention, the CPU 11a with ISA bus decoder 11b provides a bus connecting
the digital storage device, the keyboard 12 and communication ports to the
digital computer of CPU 11a. The digital computer and the digital storage
device, both resident on the computer chip 111, are connected via a bus
within the computer chip 111. As illustrated, address and data signals are
latched from the ISA bus 115 and provided as decoded bus signals for use
by other portions of the system 10. Data signal D0 through data signal D7
are latched with a latch 120, the output of which provides a data bus 125
for D0-D7. Address signal A0 through address signal A15 are latched via
latches 121, 122, 123 and 124. As provided herein, all hardware ports are
I/O mapped and occupy less than 16 bytes. The details of the I/O
interfacing and I/O address bus decoding are shown in FIGS. 10A-10D.
Devices are selected with A4-A15 and particular I/O addresses A0-A3, which
have been latched in latch 124. The complements of A0-A3 are provided by
inverters 131, 132, 133 and 134, respectively. A three input NAND gate 135
decodes EN KEYBOARD.backslash. 136 at address 0.times.300 hexadecimal. A
NAND gate 137 decodes EN IO.backslash. 138 at address 0.times.302
hexadecimal. A NAND gate 139 decodes EN ADC.backslash. 140 at address
0.times.303 hexadecimal. A three input AND gate 141 decodes EN LCD 142 at
addresses 0.times.304 to 0.times.307 hexadecimal. A three input NAND gate
143 decodes EN USART.backslash. 144 at addresses 0.times.308 to
0.times.30b. A three input NAND gate 145 decodes EN PARALLEL.backslash.
146 at addresses 0.times.30c to 0.times.30f hexadecimal. Other bus signals
derived from the ISA bus 115 with the ISA decoder 11b of FIGS. 10A-10D
include A0.backslash. 126, A1.backslash. 127, A1 128 and RESET.backslash.
130. Buffered I/O read and write signals and the oscillator signal (OSC)
are provided via connections 150, 151, 152 and 153, respectively.
In accordance with the invention there is provided the optical character
projector 22 operable by the digital computer CPU 11a to generate a data
image responsive to said patient identifying and X-ray machine identifying
information stored in said digital storage device for projection on the
X-ray film. As embodied herein, the optical character projector 22 is
illustrated in LCDS block 102 in FIG. 8 and comprises the flasher LCD 24
illustrated in detail in the schematic of FIG. 11. Herein the flasher LCD
24 is a Hitachi LCD graphic.backslash.alphanumeric display model no.
LMG6381QHGE having backlighting. Various identifying indicia and
sequential indicia may be printed on film with the flasher LCD 24. There
also is provided an external display for displaying identifying
information to a person. As embodied herein, the external display
comprises the user LCD 14. Herein the user LCD 14 is a Hitachi LCD
graphics/alphanumeric display model no. LMG6401PLGE having backlighting.
The user LCD 14 and flasher LCD 24 are backlit under the control of
inverters 161 and 163, respectively. The inverters 161 and 163 are
controlled via connections 160 and 162, respectively, which provide
signals therefor as BACKLIGHT 1 and BACKLIGHT 2. The LCD backlights are
thus computer controlled enabling the digital computer of CPU 11a to
control film exposure by the flasher LCD 24 by controlling BACKLIGHT 2 via
connection 162. The optical character projector 22 is thereby inhibited by
the digital computer 11 after generation of the data image for projection
on the X-ray film. The user LCD 14 and flasher LCD 24 are powered via VCC
101 and the -15 volt connection 109.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a keyboard
operable by a person to generate data signals. As embodied herein, such
keyboard means is provided in block diagram form in FIG. 8 as keyboard
block 106 and illustrated in detailed schematic diagram in FIG. 12. In
FIG. 12 the keyboard 12 is interfaced to the ISA bus decoder 11b via a
keyboard peripheral interface chip 170, herein the 8042 peripheral device.
The interfacing of the keyboard 12 with other portions of the system 10 is
done in a manner well known in the art.
There also is provided a printer connected to the digital computer 11 via
the data bus 125 for printing information. Accordingly, the digital
storage device of the CPU 11a, as described above, saves the patient
identifying and the X-ray machine identifying information for a
predetermined period of time. Then, the CPU 11a may retrieve saved patient
identifying and X-ray machine identifying information for a predetermined
period of time for providing a hard copy printout. Typically, it would be
desirable to print out all patient and X-ray information at the end of an
operating period, for instance, a day. As embodied herein, printer block
107 of the block diagram of FIG. 8 is shown in detail in FIG. 13
illustrates a parallel port printer interface for sending information via
data bus 125 to the printer 36. Additionally, the printer 36 could be
connected to any of the serial interface ports discussed below. A parallel
printer port 172 is provided as an 8255 peripheral interface chip having
three ports A, B and C which are connected to a parallel port connector
174 providing input and output pins according to convention as illustrated
in the drawing. The parallel printer port 172 is chip selected with EN
PARALLEL 146. A0.backslash. 126 and A1.backslash. 127 provide addressing
and IORD.backslash. 151 and IOWT.backslash. 150 direct read and write
operations to the parallel printer port 172.
A sensor is provided in accordance with the invention for measuring the
light output of the flasher LCD backlight, allowing the digital computer
of CPU 11a to determine from the sensor the predetermined period of time
to expose the X-ray film to provide a proper exposure thereof. As embodied
herein, the sensor comprises a photo cell or photo sensor 130 which is
amplified and filtered by an operational amplifier 182. The analog signal
output of the operational amplifier 182 is analog-to-digital converted via
an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC) 180. Conversion voltage reference is
provided via a potentiometer 181. Digital data representative of the
output of the photo sensor 30 is sent over the data bus 125. The ADC 180
is enabled via EN ADC.backslash. 140 and read and write operations are
controlled via IORD.backslash. 151 and IOWT.backslash. 150.
X-ray film exposure, when printing the label, is controlled via the time
duration of the flasher LCD backlight 23 of the flasher LCD 24 as
discussed above. Of course, a camera shutter means could also be provided
for providing the proper exposure to the X-ray film. Advantages are
realized, however, by the precise computer control of exposure via the
backlight 23. For instance, by having the backlight 23 selectively
operated by the digital computer 11 to project the data image for a
predetermined period of time to expose the X-ray film, by providing X-ray
film density to the computer 11, the computer 11 may determine from the
film density the predetermined period of time to expose the X-ray film.
The embodiment described herein includes the handle 17 for exposing the
X-ray film operable to open the X-ray cassette 18 when supported by the
frame of the housing 15 and slot 16, exposing the X-ray film through the
window 19 with the optical character projector of the flasher LCD 24 and
backlight 23. As discussed further below, improper operation of the handle
17 is indicated on the user display or user LCD 14. Also in accordance
with the invention there may be provided a solenoid responsive co the
digital computer 11 for locking the handle 17 while the X-ray cassette 18
is being opened thereby. As embodied herein, solenoids 195 are provided
for such control and locking, as indicated in FIGS. 15A and 15B which
represent a portion of I/O controls 105 of FIG. 8. For the operation of
solenoids 195, EN IO.backslash. 138 and IOWT.backslash. 150 are ORed and
provided as a clocking signal to input data on the data bus 125 to a data
register 190. Timers 191 and 192 are connected to the data of the register
190 to provide a time signal of a predetermined duration to activate the
solenoids 195 via switching transistors 193 and 194 used for switching
power to the solenoids 195.
I/O control data bits D6 and D7 of the data register 190 control BACKLIGHT
1 160 and BACKLIGHT 2 162, respectively, to control the user LCD 14 and
the flasher LCD 24, as shown in FIG. 11 above.
Also shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B are means for reading input switches 99 for
ascertaining the proper positioning of the X-ray cassette 18 within the
slot 16 of the housing 15. As illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a data
register 196 is controlled via EN IO.backslash. 138 and IORD.backslash.
151 to read input switch settings of the input switches 99. Data stored in
the register 196 is then communicated via the data bus 125. As illustrated
in FIG. 11b, 8 data bits D0-D7 are pulled high to V.sub.cc via pullup
resistors. Thus, 8 input switches of input switches 99 connected at one
end to ground are used to pull down any of the 8 data bits.
The serial ports 103 of the block diagram of FIG. 8 are illustrated in
schematic diagram form in FIGS. 16A and 16B and provide communication
means for receiving data signals from remote apparatus. Three (3) RS232
serial interfaces are provided, namely a programming computer interface of
port 31, the X-ray interface of port 33 and the computer interface of port
35. The CPU 11a may be programmed via its programming interface which
includes DTR 116, RXD 117 and TXD 118 as discussed above. The programming
interface of the CPU 11a is used for downloading programs to the CPU 11a
via the programming computer interface port 31. The RS232 line receivers
are provided as receiver 185 for port 35, receiver 186 for port 33, and
receiver 187 for port 31. Additionally, DTR 116 is provided via the
programming interface port 31 through line receiver 188, which is
removable via a jumper 189.
The X-ray interface port 33 and the computer interface port 35 are provided
through a dual universal asynchronous receiver transmitter chip (DUSART)
198, which is a 82530 chip taking data inputs via data bus 125 and clocked
via OSC 153 which is divided with a counter 197. DUSART 198 is enabled
with EN DUSART 144. A0.backslash. 126 and A1.backslash. 127 provide
addressing and IORD.backslash. 151 and IOWT.backslash. 150 provide read
and write signals for DUSART 198.
Turning now to FIG. 17, a program flow diagram is generally illustrated at
200. In simplified terms, the flow diagram 200 generally illustrates the
principal operation of the software used with the system 10. In
particular, the program flow diagram 200 illustrates the three modes of
operation of the system 10. As will be described, in accordance with the
present invention there is provided means for selecting between the
keyboard and the communication port as having the patient identifying and
the X-ray machine identifying information present in signals therefrom,
thereby defining a stand-alone mode of operation wherein the patient
identifying information and the X-ray machine identifying information is
present in data signals from the keyboard. A semi-automatic mode is
established wherein the X-ray machine identifying information is present
in data signals from the communication port, the patient identifying
information being made available only via the keyboard. Finally, an
automatic mode of operation is provided wherein the patient identifying
information as well as the X-ray machine identifying information is
present in data signals from the communication port.
The system 10 is initially booted up at boot block 201. Then, program flow
proceeds to output title screen 202. By default, the system 10 proceeds to
its stand-alone mode 207; however, input from the keyboard 12 determines
the program flow of the system 10 at 203 wherein an <AltH> input causes
the system 10 to provide user help at help 204. An <AltS> input causes the
system 10 to enter setup 205 to select operating parameters for the system
10, as discussed further below. Any other input at the keyboard 12 causes
program flow to proceed to block 206 where input from serial ports is
ascertained. At this point in the operation of the system 10, information
including patient identifying and X-ray machine identifying information
may be received via either the X-ray interface port 33 or the computer
interface port 35.
If no input is received via ports 33 or 35, the system 10 enters a
stand-alone mode 207. Semi-automatic mode is indicated at 208 and full
automatic mode is indicated at 209. In semi-automatic mode 208 X-ray data
IO is communicated to the system 10, indicating X-ray machine identifying
information and parameters via serial port 33 or port 35. In the
stand-alone mode 207 the X-ray data IO is received at block 210 via the
keyboard 12.
Stand-alone mode 207 and semi-automatic mode 208 then receive patient data
IO 211 via the keyboard 12 which provides patient identifying information
to the system 10. Full automatic mode 209, on the other hand, requires no
input via the keyboard 12 but rather, both X-ray data IO and patient data
IO is provided via either port 33 or port 35, requiring no user
interaction and hence full automatic mode of operation for the system 10.
At label exposure 212 the patient identifying and X-ray machine
identifying information is printed on the X-ray film and completion is
indicated at 214, which returns program flow to output title screen 202.
Any erroneous operation in the label exposure 212 program flow is
indicated at 215, which will alert the user via user LCD 14. Such
erroneous operation may include inappropriate or premature operation of
the handle 17, among other things.
The three modes of operation provided in accordance with the present
invention, as described with reference to program flow diagram 200,
comprises first means for determining whether patient identifying
information is present in data signals from the keyboard 12. Additionally,
second means for determining whether patient identifying information is
present in data signals from the serial communication ports 33 and 35 is
also provided. Then, the CPU 11a comprises means responsive to the first
and the second patient identifying information determining means for
storing patient identifying information in the digital storage of the CPU
11a. Further, means for determining whether X-ray machine identifying
information is present in data signals from the keyboard 12 and means for
determining whether X-ray machine identifying information is present in
data signals from the serial communication ports 33 and 35 are also
provided. The CPU 11a then comprises means responsive to the first and the
second X-ray machine identifying information means for storing X-ray
machine identifying information in the digital storage of the CPU 11a. The
semi-automatic mode of operation provides that the second patient
identifying information determining means further determines that X-ray
machine identifying information will be present in data signals from the
serial communication ports 33 or 35. A more detailed description of the
software operation of the system 10 will now be described.
When the software boots, the system 10 displays a title page on the user
LCD 14. The contents of the title page appear as follows:
##STR2##
After booting, the system 10 waits for inputs the two serial ports 33, 35.
In the absence of an input on either port, the system 10 operates in the
stand-alone mode. If the system 10 receives data in a "PC" data format,
the system 10 operates via the computer interface port 35 in the PC mode
which conforms to a personal computer data protocol. On the other hand, if
the system receives data in an "Alpha-RT data format", the system shall
operate via the X-ray interface 33 in the Alpha-RT mode. The protocol for
the "Alpha-RT data format" is an Instrumentarium protocol corresponding to
data from Instrumentarium Alpha-lll and Alpha-RT X-ray machines.
As described in the flow diagram 200 of FIG. 17, depressing the Alt and S
keys simultaneously will cause the system 10 to enter the setup mode 205.
Setup mode 205 may be entered at any time except while making an X-ray
exposure. Depressing the Alt and H keys simultaneously will cause the
system 10 to enter help 204. Help may be entered at any time. Pressing any
other key will cause the system to enter one of the three operational
modes.
Setup mode is used to enter the institution name, and to set the internal
real time clock (time of day and date).
Upon entering setup mode 205 the system 10 displays the following screen.
##STR3##
Where the above fields are as follows: Institution Name:is the institution
name edit field.
Time: is the present time of day edit field. This field is continuously
updated as long as the system 10 in the setup mode 205.
Date: is the present date edit field.
In the setup mode the user may edit the institution name, the time of day
and the date. One jumps from one edit field to another by depressing the
enter key. When all edit fields have been satisfactorily edited they are
saved by simultaneously depressing the Alt and S keys.
The user scrolls through the film types by depressing the TAB key. The
system 10 includes as many types of films as are currently available on
the market. The film's exposure time is stored internally in a look up
table. The user selects a film type by pressing the enter key when the
film type is scrolled into view. The system 10 then displays the setup
shown above.
The system 10 returns to the mode it was in prior to entering setup mode
when Alt and E are depressed. If any of the data were changed prior to
selecting exit without saving the changes the user is prompted with the
following screen.
##STR4##
If the user selects "Y" the changes are saved. If the user selects "N" the
changes are ignored.
In the stand-alone operation mode 207, the user is allowed to enter and
edit patient data on a full screen editor as shown.
##STR5##
The fields of the stand-alone edit screen are as follows.
Institution Name:is the name of the institution.
e.g., 93-06-16:is the date field.
e.g., 15:30:is the time of day field.
Name: is the patient's name edit field. If the number of characters in the
name is more than 18 characters the edit field shall scroll to the left to
make the last two characters visible.
ID: is the patient's ID edit field. If the number of characters in the ID
is more than 18 characters the edit field shall scroll to the left to make
the last two characters visible.
Technologist's are the technologist's initials edit
Initials: field.
<AltC>Clear:
is an identifier showing that to clear the name and ID edit boxes one must
depress the Alt and C keys. The user is first prompted before clearing the
two edit fields.
<AltH>Help:
is an identifier showing that to see on screen help one must depress the
Alt and H keys.
<AltS>Setup:
is an identifier showing that to set up the system one must depress the Alt
and S keys.
If a previous patient name, ID or technologist's initials have been
entered, they are displayed on the screen and remain displayed until
<AltC>Clear is depressed. One jumps through the three edit fields by
depressing the enter key. To clear all three patient and technologist data
fields the user depresses the Alt and C keys. The user is prompted prior
to clearing the fields with the screen shown below.
##STR6##
If the user selects "Y" the patient data is cleared. If the user selects
"N" the patient data is not cleared. If the user selects enter the patient
data is cleared. When the user wishes to expose a label on film cassette
18, the cassette 18 is loaded into the slot 16 and the cassette lever or
handle 17 is depressed. Upon depressing the cassette handle 17, the below
screen shown is displayed until the film has been exposed. The X-ray data
is cleared upon completion or the exposure.
##STR7##
If the film cassette handle 17 is opened prior to completing the exposure
the following error message is displayed.
##STR8##
When the exposure is completed the following screen is displayed.
##STR9##
The system 10 pauses until the user opens the film cassette handle 17 to
remove the cassette 18. Upon opening the lever the system returns to
display the edit screen shown above. The patient's name, ID and
technologist's initials entered earlier will be displayed on the screen.
The user may edit the items or continue to expose more film cassettes by
repeating the above procedure.
If the system 10 receives either Alpha-RT data or External PC data at any
time during the stand-alone operation mode the system automatically
switches to either one or the other of the input modes.
Upon receiving "Alpha-RT" formatted data the system 10 enters the ALPHA-RT
mode according to the semiautomatic mode 208 or full-automatic mode 209 as
described above. If the system 10 is currently exposing an X-ray label
while the data is being received, it completes the exposure first before
entering the new mode. The following screen is displayed.
##STR10##
The fields of the Alpha-RT Mode Edit Screen include the same fields as
described above and further added fields as follows.
X-ray Data:
is an identifier showing that the following list of data is the X-ray data
for the next exposure.
<TAB>Scroll:
is an identifier showing that X-ray data list can be scrolled by depressing
the TAB key. In the embodiment, only five of the X-ray data fields are
shown on the display at one time. Thus to see additional entries one must
scroll through the list by depressing the TAB key.
X-ray data fields:
Number: Exposure Number.
Voltage: Voltage in Kv.
Current: Current in MAs.
Time: Exposure time in seconds.
Mode: Exposure modes.
Technique: Techniques.
Angle: C-Arm Angle.
Thickness: Breast thickness in cm.
Force: Compression force in kg.
Filter: The filter type.
Dose: X-ray dose in mGy.
<AltD>Delete: is an identifier showing that the current X-ray exposure data
can be deleted by depressing the Alt and D keys. The user is first
prompted before deleting the X-ray exposure data.
<AltN>Next:
is an identifier showing that there are more X-ray exposures in the buffer
and that by depressing Alt N one can view the additional exposures. If
there are no other exposures other than the current exposure the
<AltN>Next is not displayed.
The user is allowed to edit the patient's name, patient ID and
technologist's initials. To change the institution name or time or date,
the user must enter setup by depressing <AltS>. To jump between the three
edit fields one depresses the enter key. To delete the X-ray exposure data
(abort printing of the X-ray label) one depresses the Alt and D keys. The
user is first prompted whether or not the X-ray data should be deleted by
the screen shown.
##STR11##
If the user selects "Y" the X-ray data is deleted. If the user selects "N"
the X-ray data is not deleted.
To clear the patient name, ID and technologist's initials one depresses the
Alt and C key. The user is first prompted whether or not the patient and
technologist data should be cleared by displaying the message screen shown
above.
If there are additional X-ray exposures stored in the internal buffer (up
to 16), the <AltN>Next message is displayed. This message is not displayed
if there are no additional exposures. Simultaneously depressing the Alt
and N keys displays the next exposure field. A user may use this feature
if multiple X-ray exposures have been made without adding a label to the
cassettes 18 after each exposure. The user must, however, be certain to
maintain the film cassettes 18 in the proper order to ensure that the
correct label is made on each cassette 18.
When the user is ready to expose the X-ray film in the Alpha-RT mode, he
inserts the cassette 18 into the slot 16 and depresses the cassette
locking handle 17. The screens and procedures for exposing the X-ray label
in the Alpha-RT mode are identical to the procedures for the stand-alone
mode discussed above.
After the X-ray label is exposed, the current X-ray exposure data is
removed from the buffer. If there is more exposure data in the buffer, the
system 10 displays the remaining exposure data. If there is no more
exposure data in the buffer, the system 10 jumps to the stand-alone mode
207.
As previously discussed, upon receiving "PC" formatted data on port 35 the
system 10 enters the PC mode for semi-automatic mode 207 or automatic mode
209. If the system 10 is currently exposing an X-ray label while the PC
data is being received, it completes the exposure first before entering
the new mode.
The user may not edit any of the data fields while in the PC mode. (The
data fields are edited using the PC.) The user may scroll through the
X-ray data fields by depressing the TAB key. To delete the X-ray exposure
data (not print or abort the X-ray label) the user depresses the Alt and D
keys. However, as described above, the user is first prompted whether or
not the X-ray data should be deleted.
If there are additional X-ray exposures stored in the internal buffer (up
to 16), the <AltN>Next message is displayed. This message is not displayed
if there are no additional exposures. Simultaneously depressing the Alt
and N keys displays the next exposure field. A user may use this feature
if multiple X-ray exposures have been made without adding a label to the
cassettes 18 after each exposure. The user must, however, be certain to
maintain the film cassettes 18 in the proper order to ensure that the
correct label is made on each cassette 18.
When the user is ready to expose the X-ray film in the PC mode, the
cassette 18 is inserted into the slot 16 and the cassette locking handle
17 is depressed. The screens and procedures for exposing the X-ray label
in the PC mode are identical to the procedures for the stand-alone mode
discussed above. After the X-ray label is exposed the current X-ray
exposure data is removed from the buffer. If there is more exposure data
in the buffer the system displays the next exposure. If there is no more
exposure data in the buffer, the system jumps to the stand-alone mode 207.
In the event that the system 10 receives data errors through either serial
port while inputting data from remote computer apparatus (e.g., either the
PC or from the Alpha-RT), the following screen is displayed.
##STR12##
Where, <AltH>Help is an identifier showing that to see on screen help one
must depress the Alt and H keys, and <AltE>Exit is an identifier showing
that to continue one must depress the Alt and E keys.
Upon depressing the Alt and E keys, the system 10 enters the stand-alone
mode 207 until it receives error free data in either the Alpha-RT or PC
modes.
Upon power up or system reset, as shown in FIG. 18 in a step 300, the
inputs are polled in a step 302 and are tested in a step 304. When the
inputs are being received, they are obtained in a get input step 306 which
then transfers control back to the input polling step 302 via a loop. When
there is no input power up polling the LCD displays are tested in a step
308. If they test functional in a step 310, the DUSART then is tested in a
step 312. If they are not functional, the LCDs are reset in a step 314 and
the LCD displays then are tested in a step 316. In a step 318, if the LCD
display tests functional, control is passed to step 312. If not, control
is transferred to a watchdog reset step 320 which then transfers control
back to the input polling step 302. If the DUSART tests functional in a
step 322, control is transferred to test the keyboard in a step 324. If
the DUSART does not test functional, control is transferred to a step 326
in which the DUSART is reset followed by a test of the LCD displays in a
step 328. If the LCD displays test non-functional in a step 330, control
is transferred to the watchdog reset step 302. If the LCDs test
functional, control is transferred to the test keyboard step 324.
In a step 326, if the keyboard tests functional, control is transferred to
a reset watchdog step 328 which then transfers control back to the input
polling step 302. If the keyboard is not functioning correctly, step 326
transfers control to a step 330 in which the keyboard is reset, followed
by a step 332 in which the LCD displays are tested. If the LCD displays do
not test functional in a step 334, control is transferred back to the
watchdog reset step 302. If the LCD displays are functional, control is
transferred to the step 328.
In order to provide a display paging function for the user LCD display, the
processor can execute a step 350 to get input which is tested for in step
352, as shown in FIG. 19. If input is not present, then in a step 354 the
processor returns to other routines. If there is input, a test is made in
a step 356 to determine whether a serial buffer is full. If the serial
buffer is full, then the serial data is decoded in a step 358 and a test
is made in a step 360 to determine whether the serial data, in fact, is
command data. If it is not, control is transferred to a step 362 which
tests for a page up key. If the serial data indicates that a command was
issued, then control is transferred to a step 364 in which an X-ray page
is displayed on the user LCD display following which display control is
transferred back to a return step 366. In the event that a page up key has
been pressed, as tested for in step 362, a test is made in step 364 to
determine whether it is for the first page. If it is not, the previous
page is displayed in a step 366 following which the display step 364 is
executed. In the event that a page up key is not indicated by step 362,
control is transferred to a step 370 which tests for whether the serial
data indicates that the page down key has been pressed. If it has, control
is transferred to a step 372 testing for whether it is the last page or
not. If it is not, control is transferred to step 374 indicating that the
next page is to be shown following which the X-ray page is displayed in
the step 364. If either the page down key is not indicated in the step
370, or a last page is indicated in the step 372, control is transferred
to a step 380 which tests the serial data to determine whether the edit
key has been pressed. If it has, control is transferred to the step 382 to
edit the X-ray data following which the X-ray is displayed in the step
364. If it is not, control is transferred to the step 386 testing for a
special key. If a special key has been depressed, control is transferred
to a special functions routine in a step 388. If not, the return step 366
is executed.
The transfer to the special function routines from step 388 is entered via
a step 390, as shown in FIG. 20. A test is made in the step 392 to
determine whether the F1 key has been depressed. If it has, system help is
then provided to the user in the step 394 following which control is
transferred to a return in the step 396. A step 400 tests for depression
of the F2 key. If it has been depressed, the system set up routines are
entered in the step 402. Otherwise, the F3 key is tested in the step 404.
If the F3 key has been depressed, a history is printed out in a step 406.
If the F3 key was not depressed, control is transferred to a test F4 key
step 408 which, if positive, causes a new patient name list to be provided
in a step 410. If the F4 key has not been depressed, control is
transferred to test for the depression of the F5 key in a step 412. If F5
has been depressed, a view is selected in a step 414.
Serial data received from another X-ray machine is decoded in a step 420,
as shown in FIG. 21. A test is made in a step 422 to determine whether a
packet command has been issued. If it has, control is transferred to a
step 424 causing the command to be decoded and the command is returned to
the main processing routine in a step 426. If the packet command test 422
indicates that the packet command was not received, control is transferred
to a step 430 which tests for the receipt of packet X-ray data. If packet
X-ray data has been received, control is transferred to a step 432 to get
the packet X-ray data and place it in an X-ray buffer. A test is made in a
step 434 to determine whether the X-ray data buffer has filled. If the
X-ray data buffer has filled, control is transferred to a step 436
indicating that receiver flags are to be cleared. If the X-ray data buffer
has not been filled, the X-ray data is added to the X-ray data buffer in a
step 438 following which the receiver flags are also cleared in the step
436 and the routine is exited in a step 440. In the event that the test of
step 430 indicates that the packet does not contain X-ray data, control is
transferred to a step 442 to test whether the packet contains printer
emulator X-ray data. If it is, control is then transferred to a step 444
to get the X-ray data which is then loaded in steps 434 and 438 into the
X-ray buffer. In the event that the data is not printer emulator X-ray
data, control is transferred to the step 436 to clear the receiver flags.
There having been described an embodiment of the present invention, other
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed
herein. It is intended that the specification be considered as exemplary
only with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the
following claims:
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